VILLAGERS are to put the brakes on speeding motorists in Churt, by recording their details in a log and passing them on to police. A recruitment drive is currently under way to enlist volunteers for a community "speedwatch" scheme to tackle the type of driving that has been the bane of village life for many years. Neighbourhood specialist officer Pc Damien Berridge, who covers Hindhead, Beacon Hill, Tilford, Frensham and Dockenfield, as well as Churt, is currently distributing fliers and posters in local shops and businesses in a bid to get the community involved. He explained: "The scheme needs a minimum of six volunteers to commit to a minimum of an hour a week, in order for it to get off the ground. "The local community in Churt have raised concerns about speeding on numerous occasions and this is a way of involving them in doing something about it." Speedwatch schemes, run by volunteers supported by Surrey Police, aim to re-educate drivers about the dangers of speeding, as well as address residents' concerns about inappropriate speed. As well as reminding car drivers and motorcyclists to keep to the speed limit, they enable local people to take an active role in making their communities safer. By working with the police and local authorities, residents identify areas of concern within 30 mph and 40 mph limits and are given full support in setting up and managing a community speedwatch scheme in their neighbourhoods. All volunteers are trained in using the speed detection equipment and monitoring the speed of vehicles safely and are given advice on dealing with enquiries from road users. Working in pairs, they record the speeds of motorists in a log and those travelling at excessive speeds are identified from the data provided and sent a "yellow" letter of advice, which also asks for their co-operation in the future. A maximum of two warning letters, along with safety information, will be sent to offenders. If they are caught speeding again, they may be targeted for enforcement by police. The aim, however, is for the presence of the speedwatch volunteers out on the streets to make drivers think twice about their driving habits and slow down. West Surrey Superintendent Kul Verma said: "We have already identified that speeding is a major concern in many communities. "The scheme is an excellent example of the police and the community working together, and we will continue to work closely with local people to ensure that their concerns form the cornerstone of our neighbourhood policing." If you are interested in setting up a scheme in your neighbourhood, contact Waverley's casualty reduction officer, Pc Andy Crane, via e-mail at [email protected]">[email protected] or telephone 0845 125 2222 to arrange delivery of a briefing pack.
